Retractable brushes or the like with locking devices



| R. PEILET RETRACTABLE BRUSHES OR THE LIKE WITH LOCKING DEVICES Filed Jan. l2O, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR casier E. Pez/@ L. R. PEILET Nov. 27, 1962 RETRACTABLE BRUSHES OR THE LIKE WITH LOCKING DEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1960 INVENTQR. esfer- Pez/@ BY Nov. 27, 1962 l.. R. PEILET 3,065,757

RETRACTABLE BRUSHES OR THE LIKE WITH LOCKING DEVICES Filed Jan. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fira, 3 fr@ ./0

74 E F1544 E615 G', I6' TGJ Il .n 23112;@ VM M I l 25 Fra? INVENTQA eser k. Pez/ef M,M722%MM Alfio/nays L. R. PEILET Nov. 27, 1962 RETRACTABLE BRUSHES OR/ THE LIKE WITH LOCKING DEVICES Filed Jan. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. Lesier JQ. Pezle United States Patent() 3,065,757 RETR-ACTAIBLE BRUSHES. R TIMIKE WITH LOCKING DEVICES Lester' R.I Pellet, 3933' N. "Tucson Blvd., Tucson, Ariz. Filed Jan. 20, 1960, Ser. No.3,627 '2. Claims. ((1132-9) :v'l'his invention relates to brushes, other hair-grooming devices, or thelike,.fand pertains; particularly to hairgrooming :devices of the type in which the bristles or other hair-grooming elements are retractable into the casing -of thel brush.

:One objectnofatherpresent invention is toprovide a new and :improvedhair-groorning ydevice in which the `bristles or other-hair-grooming elements are mounted on Marnernberwhieh.isrrnovable `.within a casing ,and is prot vided rwithsmeans yforhloclcingfthe member in its extended Vand retracted positions.

Aifurther` object is toprovide anew and improved brush` orhair-groomingdevice vof the: foregoing character which the casing isformed with .an opening opposite the rear of the bristle supporting member, so that the `member may be operated. by inserting the lingers through the opening.

Another object is to. provide a new and improved de- ViceA of: theforegoing` character, .in whichrthe means for flocking the` bristlelsupporting member are operable from the rear of themember by inserting the `fingers through the ropening in lthe reanof the casing.

A further objectis to provide a new `and improved `brush .orA hair-grooming device `of the foregoing character, which is convenient to use `and easy to operate, yetis easy to manufacture and-low in cost.

Further objects and advantages of the present invent tion will appear from the following description, taken with `the .accompanying drawings in which:

lFIG.\1'isra plan viewshowing the top .or front of-a retractable brushhtolbe described as `an illustrative ernbodiment of the presentl invention.

2 isa View showing thef'bottomA or rear of the rush of` FIG. a 1.

FIG. 3l is a sectional View, taken` generally along the i broken line 3J-13v in FIG. 2.

iFIG.-4 lis Va Viewvsimilar to FIG. 3, but showing the brush in its retracted position, rather than in lits extended position, as .inA FIG. 3.

FIG. -5-is asectional View, taken generallyalong aline `ber shown in. FIG. 8, with the lock operating knob `and one of the locking pins removed for clarity of illustration.

sFIGfill-.is a front viewgof the-locking knob.

FIG.: 12 isa fragmentary-enlarged sectional View, taken generally; Ialong aline 12-12 in FIG. r 10.

iFIvG.; 13:is ai fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken -along a line; 1'3-13 in FIG. l0.

nf? Patented New. 2?, 1952 ICC FIGS. 1.4-2.3 arefragmentary front views illustrating .a numberof modified forms of bristle-openings in the bristle cleaning plate or member.

' FIG. 24 is a fragmentary section, taken ygenerallyalong 5 Aa line 24-24 in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25is a perspectiveviewofthe brush shown in lFiGS..1--6.

FIG.26 is aperspective View ofthe brushvshown-in FIGS. 7-13.

As alreadyindicated, FIGS. 1-6 and 25 illustrate a hair-grooming Vdevice in theform of Va-retractableibrush 12), having bristles orotherhaingroom-ing elements '-22 which are retractable into a casing-24. in this case, the bristles J2.2. -are mounted in a` large-numberV of -tufts 25 onthefront' side -ofaplateor supportingmember `26 which is movable in the casingZl. VIeloweverfvarious other types of; hair-grooming elements may be employed, such as -individual bristles,` teeth, plates'lor the like.

As shown,ethe casing k24 comprises -an-end -wall 23 `whichis for-med with alargenumbenof apertures 36. The-bristles tufts 25 are slidably received in the apertures 13d. In1 this case, the apertures 30 lare circular vin shape, -but-various `other shapes maybe employed. nNhenthe bristle supporting plate 26' is lrnoved Vagainst the rearside of the endwall 23, the bristles 22 are extended, as shown in FIG. 3, so that they Vmay be employed to advantage in brushing -thehair, orlfor `any otherfuse. When-the plate Z6 ris moved rearward-lyfromz-the end -Wa-ll A2?,the

bristles 22 are retracted intoHthe-casing 24, as-Jshown in FlG. 4. Evenv whenl the bristles `22- areA fully' retracted, the tips of the bristles remain lin lthe apertures 13b sov that the bristles may readily be extended again. As -the bristles 22=are retracted, the end wall 28 `strips --any -hair or other'foreign material oithe'bristles. lInthis case, the bristles are automatically cleaned. When lthe bristles are retracted as shown in FIG. 4,' the `brush maybe carriedvery conveniently in a purse, handbag, Ypocket or the like.

The illustrated `casing v24 has a'side wall 32 which defines a hollow space or cavity 34 in the casing 24. The bristle supporting member A26 is movable within the space '-34 and along the side wall '32. WhileV the side Wall 32 may be of any suitable shape, it is shown as being of generally cylindrical shape. vThe WallZS closes one end of the lside wall 32. At the other end of the side wall,

the casing'Zft is formed with an openingd which gives access to the rear side of the bristle supporting-plate or member 26. It is preferred that the casing-24 be formed with an inwardly projecting flange around the opening 3156, so as to retain the bristle supporting plate 26 within 'the casing, lagainst outward movement' `through the open Qing 36.

'these components may be made of metal or any other suitable material.

*The bristles '22 are extended by inserting one or more iingersthroughethe opening k36 and pushing the bristle supportingplate 26-forwardly against the end wall 28. -The bristles 22- maybeI retracted by pushing them' back Iinto thecasing-With the-hand, or by reaching into the opening 36 and pulling the member-26 rearwardly.

Meansare' provided for locking the bristle supporting member 26 in its extended position, and also preferably in its retracted position. In this way, the brush may be used without a tendency for the bristles to retract, due to the normal brushing pressure on the bristles. Similarly, the brush may be locked in its retracted position so that the bristles and the bristle supporting plate 26 will not tend to fall into their extended position when the brush is being carried in a handbag or the like. In this case, the brush is provided with a locking mechanism 40 which is disposed at the rear of the bristle plate 26 and is adapted to be operated by inserting one or more fingers through the opening 36. In the illustrated construction, the locking mechanism 40 comprises a rotatable member 42 having a plurality of arms 44. The locking member 42 is rotatably mounted on the rear side of the bristle supporting plate 26. As shown, the member 42 is formed with a central opening 46 which is adapted to be received around a short stub shaft or post 48 formed on the rear of the bristle supporting plate 26. To retain the member 42 on the plate 26, a screw or other suitable fastener 50 may be threaded into or otherwise secured to the post 48. In the illustrated arrangement, a washer 52 is mounted between the post 48 and the head of the screw 50. The washer 52 is of suiicient size to overlap the member 42 by a substantial amount.

To engage the arms 44 and retain the bristle supporting plate 26 in its extended position, a plurality of lugs 54 are formed on the inside of the side wall 32. The outer ends of the arms 44 are formed with reduced portions or blades 56 which are adapted to be moved in front of the lugs 54 so as to prevent retracting movement of the plate 26. In this case, there are three of the arms 44 and three corresponding lugs 54. Three notches 58 are formed in the edge of the plate 26 so that the plate will clear the lugs 54. The engagement of the bristle tufts 25 with the apertures 30 prevents the bristle plate 26 from rotating relative to the casing 24, and thus maintains the notches 58 in alignment with the lugs 54.

It is preferred to form the inside of the side wall 32 with a plurality of additional lugs 60 for engaging the locking arms 44 so as to retain the bristle plate 26 in its retracted position. The lugs 60 are located near the rear end of the side wall 32, so that the blades 56 at the ends of the arms 44 will be movable behind the lugs 60 when the bristle plate 26 is fully retracted, as shown in FIG. 4. Of course, the lugs 54 are located near the front of the casing 24.

When the bristles 22 are to be extended, the locking member 42 is rotated so that the arms 44 are disengaged from the lugs 60. This is done by inserting one or more fingers into the rear of the casing 24 through the opening 36, as shown in FIG. 6. The bristle plate 26 is then pushed to the front of the casing, against the end wall 28. To lock the brush, the member 42 is then rotated so that the blades 56 are moved in front of the lugs 54. The engagement of the blades 56 with the lugs 54 prevents the bristle plate 26 from retracting when the normal brushing pressure is applied to the bristles.

yWhen the brush is to be retracted, the member 42 is rotated so as to disengage the arms 44 from the lugs 54. The bristle tufts 25 may then be pushed into the casing 24 to lock the brush in its retracted position. The member 42 is then rotated so as to move the blades 56 behind the lugs 60.

FIGS. 7-13 illustrate a modified brush 64, which is the same as the brush of FIGS. 1-6, except that the locking mechanism 40 is replaced with a modified locking mechanism 66. The components of the brush 64 have been given the same reference characters in FIGS. 6-11 as in FIGS. 1-5, insofar as such components are the same as the corresponding components of the brush 20. It will be necessary to describe only the diiferences between the brush 64 and the brush 20.

As shown in FIGS. 7-13, the locking mechanism 66 comprises a plurality of bolts or pins 68 which are slidably mounted on the rear of the bristles supporting plate 26. In the illustrated arrangement, the pins 68 are slidably received in generally radial grooves 70 which are formed in ribs '72 which project rearwardly from the bristle plate 26. The pins 68 are slidable through apertures '74 which are formed in lugs 76 projecting rearwardly from the bristle plate 26 adjacent the edge thereof. As shown, each of the pins 68 is formed at its inner end with an enlarged head 78 which is slidable in a groove or recess 88. As shown to best advantage in FIGS. 8 and 10, the recesses 80 are substantially wider and deeper than the grooves 70. It will be seen that the ribs 72 radiate outwardly from a central boss 82 formed on the rear of the bristle plate 26.

To receive the locking pins 68, the side wall 32 is formed with a plurality of apertures or recesses 69, 71, 73, 7S, 7'7 and 79, so that the bristle plate 26 may be locked in its extended and retracted positions, and also in a number of intermediate positions. Thus, when the bristle plate 26 is fully extended, the pins 68 are movable into the apertures 83. When the bristle plate 26 is fully retracted, the pins 68 are engageable with the apertures 88. In various intermediate positions the pins 68 are receivable in the apertures 71, 73, 75 and 77. In the illustrated construction, there are three pins 68 and three sets of apertures, but various other arrangements could be employed.

The pins 68 are adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly by inserting one or more fingers into the casing 24 through the opening 36 in the rear thereof. Means may be provided to operate all of the pins 68 simultaneously. In this case, such means take the form of a rotatable knob or disk 86 which is mounted on the rear side of the bristle supporting plate 26. It will be seen that the knob 86 has a central opening 89 which is adapted to be received around a short stub shaft or post 90 projecting rearwardly from the bristle supporting plate 26. A screw or other fastener 92 may be tted into or otherwise secured to the post 90 to retain the disk 86 on the post. In this case, a washer 94 is mounted between the post 90 and the head of the screw 92 to overlap the knob 86.

To operate the pins 68, the knob 86 is formed with a plurality of cam grooves 96. As shown to advantage in FIG. ll, the cam grooves 96 are formed on the front face 98 of the knob 86. This face 98 of the knob is in sliding engagement with the boss 82. It will be seen from FIG. 9 that the heads 78 of the pins 68 are received in the grooves 96. Each groove 96 spirals or angles outwardly, so that the rotation of the knob 86 will move the pins 68 longitudinally, into and out of engagement Witht the apertures 83-88 in the casing 24. The knob 86 covers the recesses 80 and the inner portions of the grooves 70, so as to retain the pins 68 in the grooves 70.

When the bristles 22 are to be extended, the locking pins 68 are disengaged from the apertures 88 by rotating the knob 86 in such a direction that the cam grooves 96 will move the pins inwardly. The bristle supporting member 26 is then pushed forwardly against the end Wall 28 so as to extend the bristle tufts 25. To lock the bristles in their extended position, the knob 86 is rotated so as to slide the pins 68 outwardly into the apertures 83.

It will be apparent that the bristles 25 may readily be retracted by a reversal of these operations. If short bristles are desired for a particular brushing operation, the bristle plate 26 may be locked in a number of intermediate positions, by moving the pins 68 outwardly into the apertures 84-87.

When the brush is being used, the engagement of the locking pins 68 with the apertures 83 prevents the bristles from being pushed into the casing by the normal brushing pressure. When the bristles are retracted, the engagement of the pins 68 with the apertures 88 prevents the bristles from being extended accidentally. Thus,

the bristles will remain within the casing, where they will be guarded against damage. When the bristles are retracted, the brush presents a smooth outer surface, so that it may be carried very conveniently in a purse, handbag, pocket or the like, without any tendency for the bristles to engage other objects in the handbag or the like. Whenever the bristles are retracted, the end wall 28 cleans any hair and other foreign material off the bristles. Thus, the brush is automatically kept in a clean condition.

With all of its advantages, the brush may be made Very easily and at low cost. The principal components of the brush may be molded very inexpensively from plastic materials. Thus, the brush is economical as well as highly useful.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1413, the bristle cleaning plate 28 is formed with bristle openings 3@ which are circular in shape. FIGS. 14-24 illustrate a number of modied bristle openings having shapes which are noncircular, so as to improve the cleaning action of the bristle plate 2S.

Thus, FIG. 14 illustrates a bristle opening 111i which is generally teardropped in shape. It will be seen that the opening 110 has a large end portion 112 which is formed with an outline corresponding to a major portion of a circle. One side of the portion 112 communicates with a generally triangular slot portion 114, which tapers to a point 116 from the periphery of the circular portion 112. It will be understood that the opening 110 is adapted to receive one of the bristle tufts 25, and that the opening 1111 is thus substantially lled with bristles 22. In FIG. 14, however, the bristles are omitted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. l5 illustrates another modified bristle opening 120 which is generally circular but is formed with two pairs of opposite teeth 122 projecting into the opening. Although four of the teeth y122 are illustrated, it will be understood that a larger or a smaller number may be employed. Between the groups of teeth 122, the opening 120 is formed with a plurality of outwardly extending generally V-shaped notches or slots 124. The teeth 122 and the edges of the slots 124 are capable of cleaning the bristles with a high degree of eiiciency.

FIG. 16 illustrates another modiiied bristle opening 130, which comprises twin generally circular portions 132 and 134. A narrow slot or channel 136 extends between the circular portions 132 and 134. In this case, also, the entire opening 131i is filled with bristles. Thus, the edges of the twin circular portions 132 and 134 and the narrow slot 136 have an effective cleaning action on the bristles.

FIG. 17 illustrates another modified bristle opening 141) which has a single generally circular portion 142 and a narrow slot portion 144. It will be seen that the narrow slot portion 144 extends outwardly in one direction from the circular portion 142. Here again, both the circular portion 142 and the slot portion 144 are filled with bristles. i

FIG. 18 illustrates a modified bristle opening 146 which is in the form of a generally wing-shaped slot. Thus, the slot 146 comprises a narrow main portion 147, with a pair of wing portions 148 angling outwardly from the opposite ends of the main portion 144. The elongated edges of the portion 147 and 148 have an eiective cleaning action.

FIG. 19 illustrates a modied bristle opening 150 which is generally barrel-shaped. Thus, the opening 150 has two opposite curved sides 152 and two parallel, opposite straight sides 154.

FIG. 20 illustrates a moditied bristle opening 160 which is generally elliptical in shape. However, the opposite ends of the elliptical opening 160 are formed with generally semi-circular notches 162. Here again, the entire opening 161i is filled with bristles.

FIG. 2l illustrates a modied bristle opening 163 which is generally fan-shaped. Thus, the illustrated opening 163 has an elongated straight side 164. A curved elongated side 165 is provided opposite the straight side 164. The opening 163 has ends 166 which extend between the ends of the straight side 164 and the curved side 165. The ends 166 diverge or fan outwardly from the ends of the straight side 164.

FIG. 22 illustrates another modiiied bristle opening 170 which is quite similar to the bristle opening 163, in that the bristle opening 170 is provided with an elongated straight side 172 and an elongated curved sid'e 174 which is opposite the straight side 172. In this case, however, the opening 170 has ends 176- which are parallel to each other. Thus, the opening 170 is generally rectangularJ but with one curved side.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate still another modified bristle opening which is generally circular but is formed with a plurality of scallop-shaped notches 182 disposed around its periphery. A plurality of points or teeth 184 project inwardly into the opening 180 between the scalloped notches 182. In this case, there are six scalloped notches 182, with six points 184 therebetween. Thus, the opening 181i is generally in the form of a flower having six petals. It will be apparent from FIG. 24 that the points or teeth 184 are tapered in thickness as well as in width, so that the inner ends of the teeth are sharply pointed. In this way, the bristles are subjected to an effective cleaning action. As in all of the other bristle openings, the bristle opening 180 is lled with bristles, although the bristles are omitted in FIGS. 23 and 24, for clarity of illustration.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a hair-grooming device, the combination comprising a casing having an end wall with aperture means therein, a member movable in said casing toward and away from said end wall, a plurality of hair-grooming elements mounted on the front of said member and' extending through said aperture means, said hair-grooming elements being extensible and retractable by movement of said member in said casing, said casing having an opening therein giving access to the rear side of said member, a plurality of pins slidably mounted on the rear side of said member and movable outwardly and inwardly toward and away from said casing, said casing having recesses for receiving said pins to lock said member in a plurality of positions with said hair-grooming elements extended and retracted, a manually operable knob rotatably mounted on the rear side of said' member, and cams on said knob and operatively connected to said plurality of pins for simultaneously operating said pins in response to rotation of said knob.

2. In a hair-grooming device, the combination comprising a casing having an end wall with aperture means therein, a member movable in said casing toward and away from said end wall, a plurality of hair-grooming elements mounted on the front of said member and extending through said aperture means, said hair-grooming elements being extensible and retractable by movement of said member in said casing, said casing having an opening therein giving access to the rear side of said member, a plurality of pins slidably mounted on the real' side of said member and movable outwardly and in- Wardly toward and away vfrom said casing, said casing having recesses for receiving said pins to lock Said member in a plurality of positions with said hair-grooming elements extended and retracted, a manually operable knob rotatably mounted on the rear side of said member, and means on said knob and operatively connected to said 7 8 plurality of pins .for simultaneously operating said pins* 2,865,039 Kaye et al. Dec. 23, 1958 in Vresponse -to rotation of said knob. 2,881,460 Baudouin Apr. 14, 1959 2,916,756 Peilet et a1. Dec. 15, 1959 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,946,075 Slaughter July 26, 1960 UNITED Y STATES 'f PATENTS 5- v 783,937 Edwards et a1. Feb. 28, 1905 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,604,648r Spitalny July 29, 1952 91,673 Sweden Mar. 10, 1938 2,611,916- Peters Sept. 30, 1952 794,594 Great Britain May 7, 1958 

